Aliko Dangote Donates N15bn in Rice to Fight Hunger Across Nigeria
By Patience Ikpeme
In a bid to combat food insecurity amidst ongoing economic challenges, Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has launched a food intervention programme through his foundation, the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF).
The initiative, valued at nearly N15 billion, involves the distribution of over one million 10kg bags of rice across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria. The Aliko Dangote Foundation will spearhead the programme, ensuring delivery reaches the most vulnerable Nigerians “regardless of state, tribe, gender, religion, politics, or other attributes.” The distribution is expected to run from March to early April 2024.
To ensure effective distribution, ADF will work alongside state and local governments, as well as local community partners. This collaborative approach aims to get the rice directly into the hands of those who need it most.
The Dangote Foundation’s commitment to alleviating hunger goes beyond the current programme. Kano residents will benefit from the additional distribution of 10,000 Iftar meals daily throughout Ramadan. This Ramadan programme complements the existing daily bread relief programme that provides over 32,000 loaves of bread to Kano and Lagos residents, an initiative that began in 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, commended Dangote’s generosity and urged other wealthy Nigerians to follow suit. He emphasized the importance of such support in mitigating the harsh economic realities faced by many Nigerians.
Fatima Aliko Dangote, Group Executive Director, Commercial, for Dangote Industries Ltd, highlighted the programme as a continuation of the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to philanthropic efforts. She pointed out that since the 1990s, ADF has been providing 10,000 cooked meals daily to vulnerable individuals in Kano State.
The Dangote Foundation’s vision extends beyond immediate relief efforts. Their ultimate goal is to create a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. They emphasize the need for collective action from individuals, institutions, and governments to address systemic challenges and promote social justice and equality.
The statement also highlights the Dangote Group’s broader efforts to strengthen nutrition in Nigeria. These efforts include investments in food fortification across the food industry, such as iodized salt and vitamin A-fortified sugar.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation has a long track record of humanitarian interventions. Over the past decade, they have provided assistance in response to conflict and displacement in Nigeria’s North-East and North-West regions. Their wider work spans health, education, and economic empowerment across Africa.
The Dangote Foundation concludes by urging Nigerians to support those less fortunate and calling on governments to implement policies that foster economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. They believe a thriving private sector is essential for sustainable development and prosperity.
